Sound Illustration Challenge Day 5

The Ashes series wound up today in Sydney ... and a number of people seemed very pleased about the whole thing. Over 40,000 people in the crowd seemed particularly pleased, including (to their very great credit) a large number of barmy army members who have unfailingly supported the England team when it must have been difficult. I wish Australia had such a well organised sporting set of barrackers when THEY tour overseas.

The Australian cricket team seemed remarkably pleased ... I can't think why? (a little bit of irony there, folks). Oh yes and I was pleased ... very pleased indeed. I admit it. Cricket is this country's national sport and victory in the Ashes means a lot to a nation where sport is the only official religion.

What to do about a sound cue? I would have liked to have been able to record the cricketers singing what seemed to be a new theme song. The lyrics were difficult but I think they went something like: "Five nil, five nil, FIVE nil, five nil, Fi-ive nil, five nil, five NIIIIIIIL" etc etc. It's to the tune of Auld Lang Syne but I couldn't even find the song on Youtube. Geeez!

Instead I went for a song which was penned and recorded by an Australian pop group called Sherbert back in 1976. Legend has it that the members had been listening to a test match radio commentary while travelling between gigs.

To put non cricket followers in the picture, at various times in a cricket match, when a catch has been taken or a batsmen has injudiciously placed his leg in front of his wicket, preventing the ball from striking the stumps, members of the fielding side politely ask the umpires "How was that, sir?" Except usually the question is roared at the top of the fielders' voices, the words run together and the term "sir" quite forgotten .... oh dear. It usually comes out as a deafening "HOWZAT!!!!!"

The picture above was shot from my television set so its all pretty muzzy. The Sound Illustration Challenge is hosted by Cathaber.